Cyber Security Professionals – Salaries, Jobs and Industry Demand

Considering a career as a cyber security professional? Great, you’re in the right place! The industry is growing steadily and as the internet makes its way farther out into the real world and influences more of what we do, cyber security jobs are increasing and so are cyber security professionals’ salaries.

Cyber Security Depictions

USA Network’s latest masterpiece show, Mr. Robot, follows a young cyber security professional’s daily life as he switches between digital security analyst by day and vigilante hacker by night. And the show itself has increased the interest in cyber security.

All the recent hack and data leaks have also increased the interest in and need for cyber security professionals. Marriot, Facebook, Target, and other massive corporations have been hacked successfully. Finally, these large companies are understanding the need for security. The internet is still very much a wild wild west with very few laws and even fewer lawmakers.

Where to Study Cyber Security

It’s important to remember how fast moving the digital landscape really is. In fact, in a four-year degree program, almost everything you learned in the first year is outdated the day you graduate.

Your ability to understand the material, your passion about the industry, and your drive to continue learning will serve you well in any and all cyber security jobs.

How Much Do Cyber Security Professionals Make a Year?

Cyber security is one of the fastest growing tech industries in the world. The need is there, the cyber security jobs are there, and the salaries are matching that need.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median cyber security salary is $95,510 per year which equates to $45.92 per hour1. The cyber security industry is expected to grow by 17% in the coming years. This is the time to study cyber security and get into the industry and cyber security professionals’ salaries confirm that.

Highest Paying Cyber Security Jobs

Note below that these job titles have wide swings from starting salary to maximum salary. The industry is expanding and any cyber security professional with experience and an up to date knowledge of the field can expect a major increase in yearly salary.

Chief Information Security Officer | $100,000 – $500,000 per year

Senior Security Consultant | $75,000 – $160,000 per year

Security Team Leader | 100,000 – $180,000 per year

Security Engineer | $55,000 – $170,000 per year

Data Security Analyst | $46,000 – $170,000

Security Tester | $45,000 – $130,000

It’s also important to understand how selective the cyber security industry is so be sure to maintain as much up to date knowledge and stay as sharp as possible.